Handler, who serves as secretary on the board of trustees, said she was motivated to seek a second term because she feels the board works well together to maintain stability within the district.

"I want to continue the momentum we have going forward," Handler said.

Over the last year, the district has seen the retirement of longtime Superintendent John Neubauer, and the promotion to the top job of Huey Kinchen, who'd served as deputy superintendent; and the passage of a $160 million bond that will enhance technology, infrastructure and security at all district campuses, as well as build four new school campuses by 2016.

The district has also recently under gone a curriculum audit, a technology audit and will be moving forward discussing the district's strategic plan this month, Handler said.

"Over the last four years, I've learned a lot," she said. "I've been in this district for 16 years with my three children, so I think I can continue to be a voice for the community, parents and students. That's why I'd like to continue."

As a result, serving as a trustee seemed like a natural step forward. "I've had it in my head for years, but as an employee, I was not eligible," Ferguson said.

On his campaign Facebook page, Ferguson notes the Tomball ISD board of trustees has great honest and hard-working people serving the district, but that the board has none who've ever stood in front of a classroom as a teacher.

"I believe there should be at least one member of the Tomball ISD school board who has had to plan a lesson, gather materials, manage behavior in a classroom, administer a state-mandated test, grade mountains of assignments on nights and weekends, and everything else our teachers have to do. I have done all of these things, and I feel qualified to speak to the effects that proposed board decisions would have on students and teachers in the classroom," Ferguson said. "I put my hat in the ring hoping that I put out my background and my ideas that maybe the voters would give me a chance."